Nanchang inspects 52 e-cigarette retail stores

Since May 11, when the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Municipal Education Bureau, and the Municipal Tobacco Monopoly Bureau jointly launched a special citywide inspection of the e-cigarette market, a total of 154 enforcement personnel have been dispatched, 52 e-cigarette retail stores have been inspected, 1 store was persuaded to remove e-cigarette products from sale, and 1 store was ordered to suspend business for rectification.

In addition, the Municipal Education Bureau, together with the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, carried out supervision and inspections of e-cigarette sales in areas with high concentrations of minors around schools including Hongdu Middle School, No. 14 Middle School, Baihuazhou Primary School, Nanchang No. 3 Middle School Qingshanhu Campus, and No. 16 Middle School. The inspections comprehensively examined whether e-cigarette retail stores had implemented clear public commitments and adopted effective age-verification measures to prevent purchases by minors.

According to the action plan for the special inspection of the e-cigarette market, May 12 to 17 was designated as the publicity and preliminary investigation phase. On the afternoon of May 17, enforcement officers from the three departments conducted a special inspection of the e-cigarette market in areas with high concentrations of minors, including areas surrounding primary and secondary schools and youth centers.

The first stop that day was the MOTI e-cigarette store (Baihuazhou branch), which is located near areas with high concentrations of minors such as the Nanchang Youth Palace and Nanchang No. 3 Middle School (Mingde Road campus). During the inspection, enforcement officers found that the store was unable to provide a business license. In response, officers ordered the store on site to suspend operations immediately.

At present, the MOTI e-cigarette store (Baihuazhou branch) has been closed, but the person in charge cannot be reached. The Donghu District Administration for Market Regulation has intervened in the investigation.

The second stop was the AUV Electronic Vapor Experience Store (Qinghu Happy Street branch), located near Nanchang No. 3 Middle School (Qingshanhu campus). Enforcement officers did not find any prominent warning signs in the store stating “No Sale of E-cigarettes to Minors.” The officers therefore ordered the store to make immediate corrections by placing or posting warning signage in a prominent location to protect the physical and mental health of minors.

Reporters learned that during the subsequent implementation phase, the three departments will carry out undercover investigations based on the results of the preliminary screening, collect evidence on discovered problems, and deal with violations severely. Typical cases will also be exposed in a timely manner so that investigating a few cases will deter many others.

It is understood that during the two-month special inspection of the e-cigarette market, the Municipal Administration for Market Regulation will work with the tobacco monopoly authorities to summon non-compliant e-cigarette companies and internet platforms for regulatory talks, and publicize the relevant laws, regulations, and the requirements of the joint notice issued by the two departments. They will, in accordance with the law, supervise and investigate false advertising related to e-cigarettes, as well as the sale of e-cigarettes to minors by e-cigarette companies and physical retail stores; supervise and investigate retail stores that fail to post warning signs stating “No Sale of E-cigarettes to Minors,” fail to meet clear public commitment requirements, or fail to put effective age-verification measures in place; comprehensively remove e-cigarette vending machines from areas around primary and secondary schools and youth centers where minors are concentrated; and investigate acts that induce minors to purchase and use e-cigarettes through promotional methods such as sponsorships and naming rights.

Source: Nanchang News Network